Urban Development in Nordic countries

Sustainable and versatile steel solutions for urban and waterfront projects

Steel sheet piles are well accepted in the design and execution of permanent port and waterway projects. But they can also be used for terrestrial applications. This document showcases building developments such as residential, business, cultural, etc. Some of the projects are built on the waterfront, combining both water and terrestrial applications. 

The use of steel sheet piles as permanent retaining walls is in line with the new trend towards climate change, reducing the environmental footprint and enhancing circular economy. Steel sheet piles can be recovered at 100%, reused up to 10 times before being recycled at 100%, hence their environmental impact is lower than structures built with alternative materials. 

The EcoSheetPile™ Plus manufactured in our mills in Luxembourg is produced out of 100% recycled material (steel scrap) in an electric arc furnace (EAF). The EAF utilizes since 2021 electricity from renewable sources. Consequently, our steel solutions contribute even more to a low carbon footprint of urban projects and infrastructure. 

Additionally, solutions with steel sheet pile walls can be executed faster than alternative structures, can be 100 % watertight, and in urban areas, their execution leads to less disturbance to neighbours.

Download

en English AMCRPS_urban-development-in-nordic-countries_2021_GB_web-1.pdf
Pause Play

Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, Oslo 

The Opera House is the largest cultural building built in Norway since Nidarosdomen, the famous cathedral located in Trondheim. It is an important symbol of what modern Norway represents as a nation and expresses the role opera and ballet shall have in the Norwegian culture and society. 

The building has around 38 500 m² and more than 1 100 rooms, spread over 4 levels and a basement.

The Opera House functions as a link between the historic downtown Oslo to the west and the Ekeberg hills to the east. It is a cornerstone in the development of a completely new borough. For decades Bjørvika was known for its harbour activities and heavy traffic. The final goal is to convert this part of the City into a vibrant and attractive area for commercial use, dwellings and cultural activities. A premise for this development was the transfer of the E18 motorway into a submerged tunnel passing under Bjørvika.

Dokk 1, Aarhus

Per Aarsleff achieved a contract to construct the building group Dokk 1 for the city of Aarhus in 2011. In addition they also constructed a new waterfront. The works comprised the installation of steel sheet pile retaining walls and concrete bearing piles, the demolition of existing quay walls, the lowering of the ground water and excavation. 

The building group is approx. 100 x 100 m and 8 m deep with an automatic underground parking system delivered by the company Lödige (Germany) with a capacity of 1 000 cars. 

In total Aarsleff installed 3 700 tonnes of PU 32 with the sealing system Roxan®Plus and PU 12, as well as 42 000 running meters of concrete piles, and handled 250 000 m3 of sand and soil.

Metropolis, Copenhagen

Metropolis is one of the most spectacular estates with a unique location on an artificial island. The estate consists of 82 flats of 108 to 237 m2, totalling 14 000 m2, and next to it is the port basin. Owners of these flats have remarkable views across the port, the channels and Amager Fælled. The access to the underground car park, as well as to the marina is just outside the door. 

The reclaimed land is enclosed by steel sheet pile retaining walls installed by the company Per Aarsleff. It also built the concrete piles, anchorage, as well as the pedestrian bridge on the outer side of the sheet piles. 

The installation was performed with a Hitachi 125 GLS with a 5 tonnes hydraulic hammer. 

The AU-type sheet piles were chosen due to their width (750 mm, requiring the installation of less anchors) and cost-efficiency, as well as the long service life. 

Construction period: April 2006 to March 2008